Hamilton wins Tour de Ski sprint in Lenzerheide

Hamilton takes his first World Cup stage win (GEPA/Oliver Lerch)

LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland – Simi Hamilton of Aspen, Colo., led qualifying and powered his way through the heats for a win, taking a World Cup stage victory in the Tour de Ski at Lenzerheide. It was the first win ever by an American man in the grueling Tour. Hamilton led qualifying and even survived a photo finish in the semifinals, making it to the finals heat as a lucky loser. He won the sprint freestyle race by .32 of a second over Tour leader Alex Harvey of Canada.

“I had a really good feeling about everything throughout the entire day, and I just decided to go for it every time I stepped up to the start line. It was a very cool day to say the least – maybe the coolest one I’ve ever had!” exclaimed Hamilton.

In a strong day for the U.S. Ski Team, Sophie Caldwell made her first finals, finishing sixth. The result boosted her to sixth in the Tour de Ski standings after three stages. Jessie Diggins also qualified, finishing 21st. The Tour continues New Year’s Day with distance racing in Lenzerheide.